It’s crunch time in the Heineken Champions Cup, as the sixth and final weekend of pool matches is upon us. By Sunday evening we’ll know which teams have advanced to the quarter-finals, as well as the exact make-up of those last-eight match-ups. Guinness PRO14 sides still have plenty to play for at Europe’s top table and luckily, we’re here to prime you on all the ins, outs and permutations. SATURDAY Benetton Rugby v Leinster Rugby 2pm (local)/1pm (GMT) Stadio Monigo It’s almost job done for Leinster, as they currently sit on five wins from five, just one solitary missing four-try bonus point separating them from complete perfection through five rounds. Can they make it six wins from six? History would say so – Leinster have won all three of their clashes against Benetton in Europe and their last nine Champions Cup games against any opponent. Qualification is already secured for Leo Cullen’s troops but victory would wrap up a home quarter-final and a home semi-final, should they get that far. Benetton will be stubborn though, they beat Lyon in Round 4 and pushed Cullen’s men close in Guinness PRO14 Round 1 way back in September – losing out 32-27. Ulster Rugby v Bath Rugby 3.15pm Kingspan Stadium Ulster are in pole position to wrap up one of the best runner-up spots from Pool 3 – currently three points clear of any other second-placed side with three spots on offer – and still have a chance of winning their group. In truth, the latter scenario is pretty unlikely but many an Ulster fan will dream that Saturday delivers a Harlequins home win against pool leaders Clermont, and of course victory at the Kingspan for the Ulstermen. The French giants have 20 points and Dan McFarland’s men 17. Ulster are huge favourites to beat Bath in Belfast to at least wrap up a quarter-final place and Harlequins can be very good on home turf, while question marks remain over Clermont’s 80-minute ability. So, you’re saying there’s a chance…? Sale Sharks v Glasgow Warriors 5.30pm AJ Bell Stadium Glasgow head into the weekend needing to take care of business in Greater Manchester and then pray for help. Their thrilling 31-31 draw with Exeter Chiefs last weekend delighted the masses and both teams had chances to win it, from Sam Johnson’s disallowed try to Stuart Hogg’s 60m crossbar-rattler, but the Warriors really could have done with eking out a victory. That game in the rear-view mirror, Glasgow are qualification outsiders on 12 points and need a bonus-point win at Sale to have a chance as best runner-up. They’re more than capable, already-out Sale may have an eye on next week’s domestic fixture, but Glasgow will also be keeping a close eye on the progress of Northampton Saints (away to Lyon), Saracens (at home to Racing) and Gloucester (away to Toulouse) – all on 14 points – needing two of them to slip up. SUNDAY Munster Rugby v Ospreys 1pm Thomond Park Munster are officially in desperation mode. A campaign that started so promisingly with two wins and a draw has careered badly off the rails. Defeats away to Saracens and Racing 92 in Rounds 4 and 5 respectively have left them languishing third in Pool 4. They do still have a chance of finishing as one of the best three runners-up but that will require a bonus-point win over Ospreys, Racing winning away at Saracens and then two of Northampton, Glasgow and Gloucester also faltering. Not exactly a home banker… The less said about Ospreys, the better – five games, five defeats, the lowest points tally and fewest points scored, as well as the most points conceded, of any team in this year’s competition. Ouch! Montpellier v Connacht Rugby 4.15pm (local)/3.15pm (GMT) GGL Stadium Much like Ospreys, Connacht are simply playing for pride after last week’s home defeat to Toulouse ended their qualification chances. This is the archetypal dead rubber, with both sides already eliminated, although third place in Pool 5 is still up for grabs – for what that’s worth. Connacht will want to end their European adventure on a high at the GGL Stadium and pick up some momentum for a tilt at the Guinness PRO14 Finals Series upon a return to league action, where they’ll be looking to qualify from a ridiculously tight Conference B.
